Biostatistics and Data Management Core

Power comparison of different kernel functions in detecting microbiome composition differences

The Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Core provides CFAR investigators with statistical consultation and collaboration for exploratory investigations and proposal development, and data management and informatics expertise for research planning.

The Core Director is Dr. Susan Ellenberg, Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. The Core Co-Director is Dr. Sarah Ratcliffe, Associate Professor of Biostatistics. And a third important member of the Core is Dr. Hongzhe Li, Professor of Biostatistics and Director of the Li Statistical Genetics and Genomics Laboratory. Mr. Chris Helker, Director of Clinical Data Management at Penn’s Clinical Research Computing Unit, is the Core representative for data management needs.

Drs. Ellenberg and Ratcliffe, supported by research staff of the Biostatistics Analysis Center, provide the majority of consultation and collaboration requested via the Core. Dr. Li’s expertise is in the area of statistical genetics and genomics, including analysis of large-scalegenetic association data, analysis HIV sequences data, analysis of gene expression and microbiome data. He is particularly interested in applications of the latest sequencing technologies for HIV-related applications.

Every attempt will be made to link investigators with statistical collaborators who have particular expertise in the methods relevant to the types of data to be generated; other faculty and research staff may become involved in CFAR projects to provide specialized expertise when needed.